Port Phillip Ferries runs regular cruises between Docklands, Geelong and Portarlington, plus family-friendly special events like the Junior Captain Cruise and Nature Lovers Bay Cruise where kids travel free. It’s a good option for families who want a day out on the water without booking a full boat tour.
We get asked a lot whether a ferry trip counts as “a proper outing” for kids, or whether it’s just a way to get from A to B. Good news, it’s both! The boats are modern, there’s a café on board, the decks are pram and wheelchair friendly, and the school holiday events (think Junior Captain badges and a singalong cruise or two) are aimed squarely at families.
We’ve taken our kids on these ferries a few times now, for the regular Portarlington run and for one of the school holiday singalong cruises. Both were good days, though for different reasons. This guide covers what it’s actually like on board, which trips suit which ages, and what we’d tell a friend before they book.
What to Expect on Board Port Phillip Ferries
The boats themselves are the newer catamaran type, with proper indoor seating as well as open deck space front and back. That matters more than you’d think with kids in tow. There’s always somewhere to escape the wind if the bay’s being uncooperative, and somewhere to sit outside if it’s a clear day and everyone wants a photo of the city skyline as you pull away.
There’s a café on board selling coffee, snacks and light meals, plus free Wi-Fi and charging points. Boarding is via ramps rather than steps, so a pram or a wheelchair isn’t a problem.
One thing worth knowing: the novelty of the boat itself lasts about fifteen minutes with younger kids. After that they want something to do. We always pack snacks, water bottles, a couple of books or colouring. It’s also a good time for iPads. The charging points mean you’re not watching the battery die halfway across the bay.
If you’re chasing a window seat, the right-hand (starboard) side gets the better view heading out to Portarlington, and the left-hand (port) side is better on the way back.
There are three main routes:
- Docklands to Portarlington – about 70 minutes each way
- Docklands to Geelong – around 95 minutes direct
- Geelong to Portarlington – roughly 40 minutes
A quick but important note: as of this winter, Port Phillip Ferries has paused its Geelong services (both the Docklands-Geelong and Geelong-Portarlington routes) due to low winter demand and fuel supply issues, with services set to return in early September 2026. If Geelong is part of your plan, check the current timetable before you book.
Highlights for Kids
The events calendar is where Port Phillip Ferries earns its family-friendly reputation. A few regular fixtures worth knowing about:
Junior Captain Adventure Cruise – A school holiday special where kids get sworn in as an “Official Junior Captain” for a 90-minute cruise, complete with activities along the way. It’s aimed at primary-school-aged kids who love a bit of ceremony and a badge to prove it.
Nature Lovers Bay Cruise – Running every Tuesday, this 2.5-hour cruise across the bay to Portarlington and back is where kids (aged 4 to 16) travel free. Keep an eye out for seals and seabirds along the way, and if you’re lucky, a dolphin. It’s a relaxed, scenic option rather than a high-energy one, so it suits families happy to let the kids look out the window for a couple of hours.
Magical Musical Movie Cruise – A 90-minute indoor singalong cruise with live performances of songs from Frozen, Moana, The Lion King, Toy Story and other family favourites. It runs undercover, so it’s a solid wet-weather or winter holiday option when you need somewhere warm and dry to burn a couple of hours.
Taylor Swift Singalong Cruise – A firm favourite that’s returned for several school holiday periods now, with a piano-bar-style singalong of Swift’s back catalogue. It tends to sell out fast when it’s on, so if your family has a Swiftie in it, this one’s worth watching the events page for.
Outside of the special events, the regular commuter-style cruises are still enjoyable for kids who just like being on a boat. There’s no entertainment laid on, but the novelty of the water, the views of the bay and the chance to spot marine life go a long way with younger children.
What Parents Need to Know
Toilets: Available on board all vessels.
Pram access: Yes, boarding ramps accommodate prams, wheelchairs and mobility scooters without needing to fold anything up.
Food: Licensed café on board with coffee, snacks and light meals. Worth knowing if you’ve got a hungry toddler, though it’s not a full kitchen, so pack snacks for fussier eaters.
Parking: Available near the Docklands terminal (131 Harbour Esplanade), though it’s worth checking current parking options before you go, as availability around Docklands changes depending on events.
Costs: Standard fares vary by route and are cheapest when booked in advance online. Special event cruises like the singalong and Junior Captain cruises are usually priced with family bundles that work out cheaper than buying individual tickets, so check the family pass options before booking separately.
Booking: All tickets need to be pre-purchased online or through customer service before boarding. You can’t just turn up and buy a ticket at the terminal on the day for most services, so book ahead, especially for school holiday events which sell out.
Bikes: If you’re bringing bikes, you’ll need to book them in as part of your ticket. Each sailing only takes a limited number, so don’t assume you can rock up with bikes unbooked.
Our Experience
The first time we did the Portarlington run, we were surprised by how much of a novelty the boat itself was for the first stretch, and then how quickly the kids moved on to wanting their own thing to do. That’s not a criticism, just useful to know: pack like you would for a long car trip, not a quick city tram ride.
What I love is the small stuff: spotting a seal from the deck, the kids pressing their faces to the window as the city skyline shrinks behind us, the sheer novelty of arriving somewhere by boat instead of by car.
Is Port Phillip Ferries Worth Visiting With Kids?
Best age groups: The regular scenic cruises suit most ages, though toddlers may get restless on the longer routes (70-95 minutes) without something to keep them occupied. The special events, particularly Junior Captain and the movie singalong cruise, are pitched well at primary-school-aged kids.
Time required: Allow at least half a day once you factor in travel to the terminal, boarding time and the cruise itself. The Portarlington and Geelong routes work well as a full day out if you build in time at the other end.
Value for money: The free-kids-Tuesday Nature Lovers cruise is good value for a family outing. The special event cruises cost more but include entertainment you won’t get on a standard scenic trip, so it depends what you’re after.
Who’ll enjoy it most: Families who like being on the water, kids who get a kick out of boats generally, and anyone looking for a school holiday activity that doesn’t involve screens. It’s less suited to families with very young babies who need a quieter environment, given the movement of the boat and the open deck areas.
If you’re weighing it up: book the free-kids Tuesday cruise for a low-cost trial run, and save the special event cruises for when you know your kids are the right age to get the most out of them. Either way, check the Geelong timetable first if that’s part of your plan, and book school holiday events well ahead, because they don’t wait around.
Port Phillip Ferries FAQs
Do kids travel free on Port Phillip Ferries? Yes, on the weekly Nature Lovers Bay Cruise, kids aged 4 to 16 travel free every Tuesday when accompanied by a paying adult.
How long is the ferry ride from Docklands to Portarlington? About 70 minutes each way.
Is the Geelong ferry running at the moment? Port Phillip Ferries has paused Geelong services over winter 2026 due to low demand and fuel supply challenges, with a return date in early September 2026. Check the current timetable before booking.
What is the Junior Captain Adventure Cruise? A school holiday cruise where kids are sworn in as an “Official Junior Captain” and take part in activities over a 90-minute trip.
Is Port Phillip Ferries suitable for prams and wheelchairs? Yes, all vessels board via ramps and are designed to accommodate prams, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Do I need to book tickets in advance? Yes, all tickets are pre-purchased online or through customer service. Walk-up sales on the day aren’t guaranteed, especially for special event cruises.
Heading further along the bay? Read our full guide to the Portarlington ferry trip with Port Phillip Ferries for what to do once you arrive. And if you’re spending the rest of the day around the terminal, check out our guide to Docklands with kids for more ideas nearby.
